Emotions: OMG, WOW, I did it & I feel AWESOME! (w/photos)

Just got back from my first beach vacation since surgery... last year this time I was recovering from surgery and could not make our annual all inclusive Caribbean resort get away... I must say I was very, very anxious about this year's trip... what would I do with all that buffet choices, free flowing alcohol, excessive skin rippling to and fro when I walked in a bathing suit... what if I dumped, what if what if... my mind was having a field day with me before I even got on the plane. Now I have done very well managed everything to date as I should, so I could not understand why I was having such turmoil over something I absolutely loved doing - travel. I met with the dietitian before I left I had great strategies in place but for some reason it was total mind havoc right up until boarding the plane.

OMG, first time I could sit in ANY seat without having to shyly ask for a belt extender...  WOW, OMG I did it I fit with tons of room!

OMG, I could walk for hours and walk anywhere I wanted all about Puerto Vallarta... WOW, is this me!

OMG, I could eat just about anything and knew when to stop, put down my fork and did not feel any sense of being deprived because of diet choices... WOW is this really me!

OMG, I even had a drink of two, then decided that I really did not want it and asked for non alcohol versions of the same drink... people thought wow this old gal can hold her booze, little did they know it was only slushy fruit drinks I was socking back to keep myself hydrated... I actually CHOSE what was best for me... WOW, is this me!

OMG, I wore a bathing suit and paraded about the pools and beach and realized that I did not care for the first time in my more matured adult life because most people had body flaws, no one is perfect so who cared that my tights were rippled with excessive sagging skin... after all I am no spring chick @ 60.  I was 129 pounds lighter than the last trip where I covered up with long dresses to hide my excessive bugles and rolls. I was proud of this body I worked damn hard to lose all that weight and I felt light and energized... I figured my new glow and attitude brought me attention and I don't mean sunburn... WOW is this me I feel awesome... LOL!

OMG, I am not sure where this new found confidence came from but I like it and I love the gal with it for the first time in a very long long time... WOW, is this me!

All I can say... as you might have guessed by now is... WOW THIS IS REALLY ME & I FEEL AWESOME!!!!!!!!

I hope some of the "newbies" find this inspiring, you see good things do happen after your RNY!

Below: first photo was from last trip 2011 @ 296 lbs. all rest are from recent trip 2013 @ 167 lbs with the very last photo summing up how I feel ... HAPPY!

Enjoy your journey everyone! Donna

What a great success story, and I love the photos that go with it!  Some amazing NSV's - congratulations!

Thank you Julia!

Enjoy your day, Donna

You look absolutely fantastic!  Of course you should be proud.  Looks like you've done a great job.  I have a few months till my surgery but buy, what an inspiration you are!

Sylvie, thanks for your kind words! Soon you too will feel so wonderful, best wishes for a safe journey! Donna

It sounds like you had a glorious holiday! I can imagine that looking as spectacular as you do, your newfound confidence is just brimming over! How absolutely wonderful! You have some incredible NSVs there and I have to say, I love to travel as well so I hope that one day, I can enjoy my vacations just as much as you did this one without being self conscious at all! Congratulations on a hard-won achievement! YAY!!!!

Jiliana2, I really appreciated your kind words, thank you!

Enjoy your day, Donna

Thats is just WOW.

Be very proud of yourself you are so amazing.

Thanks, Nanato2!

Enjoy your day, Donna

awesome! You look so happy, too! :D